The use of solar energy has been considered one of the main strategic directions for energy development in the foreseeable future for several decades. However, like any sector of the economy, solar energy faces certain challenges. These challenges are often a continuation of its obvious advantages, and it is worth knowing about them as well.
“Ecological Sustainability”
To be precise, “ecological sustainability” is an incorrect term in itself, as ecology is the science of the interaction between organisms and their environment. When discussing an economic sector, it is more accurate to talk about its impact on the environment. So, do solar power plants affect nature? They do not seem to produce harmful emissions into the atmosphere during operation… But, as always, there are nuances.
- The production of solar panels is not “ecologically sterile.” It is important to understand that it is quite complex, energy-intensive, resource- and capital-intensive, and involves the need to combat atmospheric emissions and the necessity of disposing of harmful waste. For example, the production of high-purity silicon used in panel manufacturing is such a process.
- Dangerous elements and substances may also be used in production: lead, cadmium, tellurium, copper, selenium, gallium, arsenic, indium, as well as certain acids and solvents. The growing demand from the industry for such components leads to the development of mining and processing industries, which carry high environmental risks.
- Accordingly, there is the problem of disposing of solar batteries. Significant efforts must be made to ensure that all potentially hazardous compounds do not enter the environment. Solutions exist, of course, and they work, but they are quite costly and technically complex.
- Peripheral equipment. The operation of solar power plants requires a whole range of equipment: controllers, trackers, inverters, batteries, control and monitoring automation – all of this is quite expensive equipment, the production of which also has a certain, as they say now, “carbon footprint”.
The Need for Significant Land Areas
This is a separate problem that should also be classified as environmental. Of course, panels are generally installed where other uses of the land are problematic. However, a study published in 2018 in the journal Research Square, using satellite imagery analysis from around the world, found that about 27% of all solar panels in the world are installed on lands that could be used for agricultural purposes.
On the other hand, if all possible lands and territories were involved in agricultural turnover, a planetary-scale ecological disaster would inevitably occur, and very quickly. But in Ukraine, where we have the most valuable land resources in the world, allocating land for solar energy is a very sensitive issue. And we know that “sensitive issues” of land allocation traditionally carry high corruption risks – and this is no longer quite an “ecological” issue.
Advantages for Ukraine
Ukraine entered independence with a powerful, but completely “non-ecological” energy sector. As of 1990, the structure of electricity generation was as follows:
- Thermal energy (TPP): about 70%
- Nuclear energy (NPP): about 25%
- Hydropower (HPP): a negligible percentage, less than 5%
- Renewable sources: practically absent
By 2024, the structure of electricity generation, according to expert estimates, will look quite different:
- Thermal energy (TPP): no more than 5%
- Nuclear energy (NPP): about 80%
- Hydropower (HPP): less than 5%.
- Renewable sources: still insufficient, up to 10%.
The main factor behind such changes has been the war and the deliberate destruction of Ukraine's energy sector by Russian terrorists. The issue of energy supply has become very critical. Ukraine urgently needs to increase generation, reduce dependence on hydrocarbons, and focus on electricity generation with low operating costs. Undoubtedly, solar energy becomes very important under such circumstances, and large specialized companies will play a decisive role in implementing such a strategy in Ukraine.
Business Model in Solar Energy: KNESS Group of Companies
For those interested in learning more about the business model of solar energy development in Ukraine, we provide some information about the Ukrainian group of companies KNESS, which specializes in the development and implementation of solar energy projects. A full cycle is carried out: design, construction, commissioning, connection to the power grid, commissioning, and, in fact, operation and maintenance. Since 2016, KNESS has been performing EPC contracts (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) in the field of solar energy.
The group of companies also produces a significant portion of the equipment: centralized inverter stations, electrical equipment, supports, metal structures, power collection cabinets, as well as frame-module buildings for electrical purposes.
The group of companies includes a specialized scientific and technical unit – KNESS R&D – a center for innovative and technological developments, research in engineering, experimental engineering developments, and technical testing.
The company structure includes units that organize and provide administrative and economic services, as well as own and manage the operation of the solar energy storage facility “Smoline” with a capacity of 10 MW, which has been fully developed, designed, and manufactured in Ukraine by the KNESS group of companies.
A separate division of the KNESS group is an electricity supplier and operator of the battery energy storage complex. There are representations in Poland and Latvia.
Dispatcher Work at KNESS: Alona Kavka and Andriy Kolodziysky in the “Career Compass” Program
Our host Alona Kavka spoke with Andriy Kolodziysky, a dispatcher at KNESS. The dispatcher is a very responsible and important job. He is a strategist, analyst, coordinator, and, in essence, a guardian of Ukraine's energy independence. He works with the most modern technologies and is responsible for the stability and continuity of energy supply.
We visited the dispatch center of one of the most innovative energy companies in the country. Andriy Kolodziysky has gone from university to working in an innovative company – this is an example of how a conscious choice of profession can become a source of stability and provide a person with an important, responsible, and simply good job.
